THE EXPLORER'S RETURN 75 



Parian marble, inlaid with mammoth gems of pearl and opal. One in par- 

 ticular exhibited the perfection of the grand. Its form was not unlike that 

 of the Colosseum, and it lay so far away that half its height was buried 

 beneath the line of the blood-red waters. The sun, slowly rolling along the 

 horizon, passed behind it, and it seemed as if the old Roman ruin had suddenly 

 taken fire and were in flames. 



For further comparison, take this passage, from Capt. McClure's account 

 of his discovery of the northwest passage in 1850.: 



"I cannot describe my feelings. Can it be possible that this water com- 

 municates with Barrow's Strait, and shall prove to be the long-sought north- 

 west passage ? Can it be that so humble a creature as I am will be permitted 

 to perform what has baffled the talented and wise for hundreds of years? 

 But all praise be ascribed unto Him who hath conducted us so far in safety. 

 His ways are not our ways : nor the means that He uses to accomplish His 

 ends within our comprehension. The wisdom of the world is foolishness 

 with Him." 



